Without any preface I came straight to the asking of the bald, crude question which was in my mind to ask.
"For the sake of–our friendship, Miss Cunningham, forgive me, and tell me whether you love Carson Wildred?"
She started and quivered almost as though I had struck her a blow, and her large, frightened eyes studied mine for a long second without answering. Then she said, simply, "No, my friend, I do not–love him."
"Yet you have promised to marry him?"
"Yes."
"And you mean to carry out that promise?"
"Yes, unless—"
"Unless what?"
"Something–happens to prevent me."
"If you do not love him something shall prevent. Let me help you. For heaven's sake, let me! Only give me an idea how it can best be done–I ask no more. I will teach you what such a–friendship as mine can have the power to do."